Man dies in M1 smash

Victoria Turton

A man died after a smash between a car and a van on the M1 motorway near Lofthouse.

The man, aged in his 60s, was driving a silver Chevrolet car which collided with a white Ford Transit van at around 12.40pm today on the northbound carriageway close to junction 42.

He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A female passenger, who was also in her 60s, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary suffering with serious but not life threatening injuries.

The van driver was not injured.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “From initial enquiries it is believed that the silver Chevrolet may have been being driven slowly or been stationary either prior to or at the time of the collision due to a fault with the vehicle.”

The road remains closed at junction 42 and diversions have been put in place.

Anyone with information should call the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101.